03.01.18
Avon Products, Inc.: tapped Jan Zijderveld to serve as chief executive officer, effective immediately, succeeding Sheri McCoy, who previously announced her intention to retire from the company and board. Jan will also serve as a member of the board of directors. Zijderveld joins Avon from Unilever, where he has had a 30-year career, living and working in seven countries across three continents. He most recently served as a member of Unilever’s executive committee, and as president of Unilever’s $14 billion European business.
As president of Europe, Zijderveld was responsible for Unilever’s largest operating business, encompassing 34 countries and 25,000 employees. Under his leadership, the European business stabilized and returned to growth and improved profitability following several years of decline and during significantly challenging market conditions. He previously served as executive vice president in South East Asia and Australasia, where he drove substantial organic growth through a significant step-up in innovation, market development and in-store execution. During this time, Zijderveld was also non-executive chairman of Unilever’s listed Indonesian business.
As president of Europe, Zijderveld was responsible for Unilever’s largest operating business, encompassing 34 countries and 25,000 employees. Under his leadership, the European business stabilized and returned to growth and improved profitability following several years of decline and during significantly challenging market conditions. He previously served as executive vice president in South East Asia and Australasia, where he drove substantial organic growth through a significant step-up in innovation, market development and in-store execution. During this time, Zijderveld was also non-executive chairman of Unilever’s listed Indonesian business.